MONCTON, N.B. -- The three Mounties killed by a suspected lone gunman were remembered Friday night at a candlelight vigil.

More than 1,000 gathered at the RCMP headquarters in Moncton to show support for the Mounties and remember Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Doug Larche. The three were shot and killed Wednesday evening after responding to a call about a man walking down the street with firearms. Two other officers were injured.

When three Armed Forces members laid flowers and saluted the crowd, people cheered: "Thank you for serving our country."

The heavy rain that plagued the small New Brunswick city Friday let up just in time for mourners to light candles in honour of the slain officers whom Justin Bourque, 24, has been charged with killing during a shooting rampage that kept the whole city on lockdown for two days.

Ross, 32, was "passionate about his work," cousin Lucinda Ross wrote on Facebook.

Dave Ross, formerly of Victoriaville, Que., was one of the Mounties killed on Wednesday. (Facebook photo)

"All my thoughts go out to his wife, his son and his family. Rest in peace Dave," she wrote.

He was a police dog handler originally from Victoriaville, Que. He and his wife, Rachel, had a 19-month-old son and a second child on the way.

Ross's mother Helene Rousseau, speaking at a press conference Friday, described herself as "torn up" and said she was proud of her son, who she described as a "hero."

She also expressed sorrow that Ross's children would never know him.

"I hurt so much for his wife and his one-and-a-half-year-old son, who won't have the chance to see his father grow old," Rousseau said.

"(The son) probably won't remember him. And (Dave) won't get the chance to see his second child, and they wanted four. That's what life decided."

Ross joined the force in Ottawa after graduating in July 2007, and was posted to New Brunswick.

Victoriaville Mayor Alain Rayes told QMI Agency all flags at city buildings would remain at half mast until Ross's funeral, which will likely be held in Moncton.

A few months after Ross joined the New Brunswick detachment, Gevaudan, 45, was also posted there, in February 2008, as a general duty officer. Born in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, France, he worked as part of the dive unit.

Cst. Fabrice Georges Gevaudan (RCMP Handout)

Larche, 40, was born in Kazabazua, Que., but raised in Saint John, N.B.

Larche was posted to New Brunswick in February 2002 and served in Miramichi, Doaktown and Codiac, which covers the Moncton area, in the highway patrol division as well as working as a general duty officer.

Cst. Douglas James Larche (RCMP Handout)

In 2008, Larche received a Commander's Commendation for saving the life of an unconscious baby in Moncton.

Commanding Officer Roger Brown called all three "incredible RCMP members."

"My thoughts and prayers remain with the families and loved ones of these fallen officers who died in the line of duty and our recovering officers," Brown said at a press conference Friday.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days, Brown said.